The life aquatic: Amazing underwater photos from around the world

By Talia Day, Special to CNN

Updated 1217 GMT (1917 HKT) June 19, 2014

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Explorations into the deep – CNN iReporters shared their best photos from under the sea. Here, a diver swims with a lemon shark at Tiger Beach in Nassau, Bahamas. This is a popular location for veteran divers looking to mingle with sharks without a cage.

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Explorations into the deep – Christmas tree worms get festive on top of brain coral in the waters of Cozumel, Mexico, where reefs offer divers an opportunity to photograph a variety of sea life.

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Explorations into the deep – Experienced diver Boaz Meiri wishes more people would give sharks a break. "Sharks are not what they remember from the movie 'Jaws,'" he said. Meiri photographed a large female tiger shark 19 feet underwater at Tiger Beach in Nassau, Bahamas.

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Explorations into the deep – Bob Fish (yes, that's his real name) has been photographing his underwater adventures since 1994 and can't imagine stopping. In this shot, he caught a school of Bermuda chubs traveling together toward shallow water.

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Explorations into the deep – This photo of a moon jellyfish floating gracefully in the waters of Key West, Florida, is one of Fish's favorite underwater shots he's taken.

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Explorations into the deep – Jorge Gonzalez said, "Relax and be patient. You will be rewarded at the end with a beautiful photograph." Gonzalez photographed this lobster 45 feet underwater in Groton, Connecticut.

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Explorations into the deep – Christian Baki's wife claims her spot on top of the Felipe Xicotencatl shipwreck during a dive in Cozumel, Mexico.

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Explorations into the deep – Dolphins pass in Rangiroa, French Polynesia. "It was the craziest, most incredible underwater experience I've ever had," said Laura Waters. Rangiroa is the second largest atoll in the world.

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Explorations into the deep – Meiri said, "Look for the small details when you dive. There are a lot of hidden creatures in the oceans." He captured this tomato clown fish in 2011 during a dive in Dauin, Philippines.

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Explorations into the deep – Rich Muller has been a photographer for more than 40 years, but this photo shoot was his first time experimenting underwater. He spied a starfish on a small reef in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

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Explorations into the deep – Trevor Murphy captured this photo of international surfing champion Mega Semadhi catching a wave at Padang Padang Beach in Bali, Indonesia. "The hardest thing about water photography is the preparation and timing ... there is no room for error," he said.

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Explorations into the deep – A tiny octopus shows its elegant side during a nighttime dive in the waters of Anilao, Philippines. Simon Lorenz shot this photo about 20 feet below the surface.

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Explorations into the deep – Beautiful creatures can be found in any ocean. This tube worm flexes underwater in Jamestown, Rhode Island.

Explorations into the deep – Brains aren't just in your head. Professional photographer Matt Swinden snapped this macro shot of brain coral during a dive in Isla Mujeres, Mexico.

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Explorations into the deep – Huy Duong spotted a fellow diver while exploring the Second Cathedral in Lanai, Hawaii, last year. There are two famed caverns, the First and Second Cathedrals, which were formed from massive underwater lava tubes.

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Explorations into the deep – A colorful Northern Anemone in the waters off of Gloucester, Massachusetts, waits to stun its prey with its stinging tentacles.

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Explorations into the deep – Tom Logston said, "Every dive is a new adventure." Logston photographed this cuttlefish during a dive in the Bismarck Sea off Papua New Guinea. He's been diving since the '70s and was inspired by the exploration of Jacques Cousteau.

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Explorations into the deep – A sea of fish passed by Robert Ondrovic's lens during a 10-day excursion in the Galapagos Islands. Ondrovic said, "Sometimes you need to go below the surface rather than just scratch it to explore the wonders and beauty of nature."

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Explorations into the deep – Can you spot the two seahorses embracing in this seahorse garden? Bill Schwamle did in Cozumel, Mexico.

Click the double arrow to see more underwater photos.

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Explorations into the deep – During a dive at Stuart Cove in Nassau, Bahamas, Konstantinos Kohilas gets photo bombed during an underwater selfie by a shark.

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Explorations into the deep – A flamingo tongue sea snail feeds on coral in the waters surrounding Cozumel, Mexico.

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Explorations into the deep – Ted Alan Stedman took this photo 60 feet underwater during a dive along the reefs of Bora Bora, French Polynesia.

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Explorations into the deep – A macro shot of coral taken during a dive in Cozumel, Mexico, shows off an intricate pattern.

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Explorations into the deep – A whip coral goby is photographed deep underwater, off the coast of Dauin, Philippines.

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Explorations into the deep – Fish, who captured this puffer fish in Islamorada, Florida, said, "Get a few dives under your belt. Be sure you have good (or great) buoyancy control before doing anything."

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Explorations into the deep – Baki said, "On my first dive trip, I had a small point and shoot camera, and this started me on my journey to learn underwater photography. I upgraded as I became more proficient." Baki captured this image of divers exploring the wreck of the USS Spiegel Grove about 70 feet underwater in Key Largo, Florida.

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Explorations into the deep – A red-gilled nudibranch slithers on the ocean floor in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

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Explorations into the deep – A playful harbor seal pup waves hi to Marla Matin near San Clemente Island in California.

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Explorations into the deep – Diver Adam Puche takes a photo of a southern stingray with his diving mate in the background in Cozumel, Mexico.

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Story highlights

Underwater photographers are often SCUBA certified and experienced divers

With a little patience and the right equipment, underwater photos can be captured anywhere

"The sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever." -- French explorer Jacques Cousteau

It's said that the ocean is like space: Vast and filled with life, most of which we have yet to discover. The aquatic frontier captivates those who dare to explore its depths, by offering a new realm filled with color and mystery.

In 1968, with the advent of color TV, French explorer Jacques Cousteau introduced viewers to the deep blue sea with his show, "The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau," which used underwater cinematography to bring the beauty and wonder of the ocean to viewers around the globe.

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Today, thanks to relatively inexpensive, yet highly sophisticated equipment and access to diving lessons, photographers are able to explore the ocean through their own lens. CNN invited enthusiasts to share their best underwater photos and the stories behind their explorations under the sea.

Ready to dive into the world of underwater photography? Explore the gallery above to view some of the best user-submitted photos and to find out how they captured these amazing underwater images.